Karnataka govt exonerates 3 IPS officers in Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case

BENGALURU: The state government has closed the departmental enquiry proceedings against three IPS officers, including former Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, exonerating them of charges in connection with the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025.

The disciplinary proceedings stemmed from the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, in which 11 people died. The officers, B Dayananda, Shekhar H Tekkannavar and Vikash Kumar Vikash, were facing disciplinary proceedings in connection with the incident.

Separate government orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms on July 14, 2026, stated that the competent authority decided to drop the enquiries after examining their statements of defence and the opinion of the administrative department.

B Dayananda, who was then Additional Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, was placed under suspension on June 5, 2025, under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, pending disciplinary proceedings.

His suspension was revoked on July 28, 2025, under Rule 3(7)(c) of the same rules, following which a departmental enquiry was initiated under Rule 8(4). A Show Cause Notice along with Articles of Charge was issued on July 31, 2025.

In his statement of defence submitted on September 8, 2025, Dayananda denied the charges and sought exoneration. After considering his response, the government closed the departmental enquiry proceedings and exonerated him of the charges.

Shekhar H Tekkannavar, who was then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division, Bengaluru City, was also placed under suspension on June 5, 2025, in connection with the stampede. His suspension was revoked on July 28, 2025, after which disciplinary proceedings were initiated under Rule 8(4) of the AIS (D&A) Rules, 1969.

Tekkannavar denied the charges in his defence statement submitted on September 8, 2025. The government subsequently dropped the enquiry and exonerated Tekkannavar. However, the order also issued a warning to him to act responsibly in future and ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Vikash Kumar, who was then Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police (West), Bengaluru City, was placed under suspension on June 5, 2025, under Rule 3(1)(a) of the AIS (D&A) Rules. His suspension was revoked on July 31, 2025, and disciplinary proceedings were later initiated under Rule 8(4). He submitted his statement of defence on September 8, 2025, denying the charges and requesting exoneration.

After examining his defence statement and the administrative department’s opinion, the Karnataka government closed the enquiry proceedings and exonerated Vikash Kumar of the charges. (ANI)